A Gentleman from the Courts of England- Ray (TN) 1917 Sharp F
[My title, another possible title: Lord Beechman. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, 1932 Sharp and Karpeles Vol. I.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
F. "A Gentleman from the Courts of England." Sung by Miss MAY RAY at Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Claiborne Co., Tenn., April 25, 1917. Sharp F
1. A gentleman from the court of England,
A gentleman of a high degree,
But yet he could not rest content ed
Until he ploughed the raging sea.
2 O he rode East and he rode West,
And he rode till he came to the Turkey shore;
There he was caught and put in prison,
No hopes for freedom any more.
3 The Turks they had a beautiful lady,
And she's as kind as kind could be.
She stole the keys of her father's castle,
Saying: My Lord Beechman I'll go and see.
4 O have you house and have you land?
And are you a man of a high degree?
And will you will it to any young lady
Who from this prison will set you free?
5 O I have house and I have land
And I am a man of a high degree,
And I will will it to any young lady
Who from this prison will set me free.
6 She took him up to her father's castle
And there she ordered wine so strong,
And every glass that she drank with him:
I wish, Lord Beechman, you was my own.
7 She took him down to her father's hall,
And there she ordered a ship for him,
Saying: Fare you well, my own true love.
Saying: Fare you well till we meet again.
8 It's seven long years I'll make this bargain,
It's seven long years give you my hand,
That you will wed no other woman
And I will marry no other man.
9 O seven long years had done passed over,
Seven long years, one, two, or three.
She gathered up her golden jewelry,
Saying: My Lord Beechman I'll go see.
10 She rode till she came to Lord Beechman's castle,
And at the door she made a ring.
Lord Beechman sent his footman-runner
To see who might wish to come in.
11 Pray tell me is this Lord Beechman's castle?
And is the lord himself at home?
O yes, this is Lord Beechman's castle.
He has this day brought a new bride home.
12 Go tell him I want a piece of his bread
And also a glass of his wine so strong;
And ask him if he has forgotten the lady
Who freed him from the prison so long.
13 There stands at your gate the prettiest lady
That ever my two eyes did see,
And on her right hand she wears a ring,
And on her left one, two or three,
And around her waist the gold and jewelry
To buy your bride and company.
14 She said she wanted a piece of your bread
And also a glass of your wine so strong,
And asked you if you had forgotten the lady
That freed you from the prison so strong.
15 Lord Beechman rose up from his table,
And bursted it in splinters three,
Saying: Here, woman, take back your daughter,
My dear Susanne has come to me.
16 Saying: Here, woman, take back your daughter,
I'm sure she's none the worst by me,
For she came here in a horse and saddle,
She can go back in two coachmen free.
17 He took Susanne by her lily-white hand
And led her through rooms two or three.
Her name was put on the house enrollment,
Lord Beechman's landlady.